By: Audrey Raymonda John
The High Court of Sierra Leone, sitting in Kambia and presided over by Hon. Justice Sahr Kekura, has sentenced Finda Aziz Turay to five years’ imprisonment following her conviction for the illegal possession of drugs.
The convict was arraigned on four counts, including unlawful possession of drugs contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008), and selling of drugs contrary to Section 7(c) of the same Act.
Turay pleaded guilty to count one, illegal possession of drugs without lawful authority, but not guilty to counts two, three, and four.
In mitigation, defence counsel M. Korie Esq. and T. P. M. Sowa informed the court that the convict is a first-time offender and a mother of two children. They submitted that she did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty to the first count and urged the judge to temper justice with mercy.
The defence appealed for a minimal custodial sentence or the option of a fine, pursuant to Section 12(3) of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008. Counsel argued that a lengthy custodial sentence would destroy the convict’s livelihood, which they described as her principal source of income.
Responding, prosecution counsel Tholley Esq. urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offence, noting that the convict was found in possession of thirty-nine (39) wraps of kush, weighing 34.6 grams. He reminded the court that the offence carries a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of five years under the law.
Delivering his sentence on count one, Hon. Justice Sahr Kekura stated that he had carefully considered the plea in mitigation, including the fact that the convict pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time. However, he emphasized that the law prescribes a minimum sentence for the offence.
The judge therefore sentenced Finda Aziz Turay to five years’ imprisonment, being the minimum sentence required by law for unlawful possession of drugs.
The prosecution will continue to lead evidence on counts two, three, and four to determine the convict’s liability on those charges. The matter has been adjourned to January 29, 2026.